Phenotypic heterogeneity in Streptomyces colonies
Year: 2024
Type: review
Abstract: Streptomyces are a large genus of multicellular bacteria best known for their prolific production of bioactive natural products. In addition, they play key roles in the mineralisation of insoluble resources, such as chitin and cellulose. Because of their multicellular mode of growth, colonies of interconnected hyphae extend over a large area that may experience different conditions in different parts of the colony. Here, we argue that within-colony phenotypic heterogeneity can allow colonies to simultaneously respond to divergent inputs from resources or competitors that are spatially and temporally dynamic. We discuss causal drivers of heterogeneity, including competitors, precursor availability, metabolic diversity and division of labour, that facilitate divergent phenotypes within Streptomyces colonies. We discuss the adaptive causes and consequences of within-colony heterogeneity, highlight current knowledge (gaps) and outline key questions for future studies.
Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology
Institutions: University of Strathclyde, Leiden University
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,970
Awards: G1508869759, G1852760606, G2223321298, Chance and Necessity: Evolution guided antibiotic improvement and discovery, G371031503, G4650680883, Experimental evolution of microbial multicellularity, Aversion Therapy for Bacteria: Repurposing Aurodox, G5892661535, G6609996244, G7519513011, Re-engineering robustness in to industrial antibiotic producing Streptomyces strains
OpenAlex ID: W4392482178